About Becoming My Ex-Husband's Mistress - Chapter 26

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 26. A Tightening Sensation
“Good heavens.”
I hastily raised both arms to cover my exposed chest, but my bare legs continued to trouble me.
“I sincerely apologize, Your Grace. I shall be more careful. Please forgive me as well for this unseemly appearance. The butler assured me no one would enter, so I thought it safe to….”
“Were you planning to stay long?”
“I need to break the curse. Walter mentioned his Tavern opens in four days, so I was hoping to find some clue here by then.”
Luderne Sellen, moving only his eyes to scan me from head to toe, finally gave a single nod.
At least he didn’t seem inclined to reproach me for carelessly donning my shirt.
From his reaction, I began to wonder if perhaps he was treating me with considerable generosity and kindness after all.
“Sir Jester mentioned you seemed to be under some curse. That’s why I permitted you access to the Library. He said it was a curse of lust.”
“Yes. Did you perhaps inform Sir Jester about the nature of this curse of lust?”
“No. It’s not something worth mentioning. I shouldn’t pretend to understand it either.”
What a relief that was.
Luderne Sellen, who had answered my question immediately, fell silent for a moment.
His gaze drifted vaguely into empty space before returning to me.
“Isn’t it resolved with a man? You seem to be using that tavern man quite well, given how handsome his face is. Though he didn’t appear to have any feelings for you.”
I was so startled I couldn’t close my mouth.
It seemed Walter’s protective words had caused Luderne Sellen to misunderstand.
“That’s not it.”
“It’s not?”
“No, it’s not. Walter and I have only an employment relationship. I don’t live at the Tavern. I’m staying at the Inn.”
“Then that man dared to lie directly to me?”
My heart sank.
Fearing harm might come to Walter, I hastily offered an explanation.
“Your Grace, he didn’t tell you directly. The atmosphere was so tense at the time that he was only trying to protect me.”
Then once again, heated breath came rushing up.
My heart had been racing from his scent all this while.
“My condition is something only you, or rather….”
I need to regain my composure.
I took a deep breath and managed to continue.
“Only Your Grace can resolve it.”
Luderne Sellen’s eyes widened.
“On this Island, you are the only one who knows the nature of the curse. No other man can solve this problem, and no one else knows.”
Soon his brow furrowed relentlessly.
“What nonsense is this? I told you not to play games. Do you not value your life?”
“I’m serious. Please listen to me. I remember what the one who cursed me said.”
Luderne Sellen fell silent again. Suspicion glinted in his eyes as he studied me.
“At first, I couldn’t believe it either. I was worried any man might become the target.”
“Are you now swearing there has been no other man besides me? In that condition of yours?”
“If you hear me and still don’t believe, Your Grace is free to verify it yourself.”
“Confirm? How am I supposed to confirm something on my own whim?”
“However you wish.”
“Ha, is that what you call an answer?”
Luderne Sellen’s expression twisted into a sneer.
“Are you saying that to test whether I’m truthful or not, you’d readily hand over any man and have me prove it right before your eyes?”
I was startled by his unexpected words.
Luderne Sellen clicked his tongue in displeasure.
“I’d advise against making such rash declarations in front of a man of power. It could become very dangerous.”
It was a low rebuke for my careless remark.
He moved to a single-seat sofa and sat down.
“Very well. Let’s hear it then.”
He reclined comfortably against the backrest, his long legs slightly parted, and rested his chin lightly on his hand with his elbow propped against the armrest.
Despite his arrogant posture, his figure appeared breathtakingly beautiful to my eyes.
I stood a couple of paces away from him.
Luderne Sellen’s voice lowered.
“Your posture could be better.”
He was referring to how I hunched my back and shoulders while crossing my arms over my chest.
I carefully lowered my arms and checked my appearance.
The silk shirt clung to my body, revealing every contour. His intoxicating scent alone had already made my arousal visibly apparent through the fabric.
His gaze was fixed directly on that spot.
I considered sitting beside him on the sofa but abandoned the idea. Standing straight would reveal everything anyway.
Then a blanket caught my eye.
“Um, I’m not really in a state… Would it be alright if I covered myself with a blanket?”
I asked because I thought he might allow it.
“Wasn’t it you who wanted me to explain the curse and then cling to me?”
“…What?”
“You seemed desperate.”
“…”
“Now that I think about it, you wanted me to tease you back then too. Since you weren’t in your right mind, you might not remember all of what happened in bed.”
At those words, fragments of that time—rolling around frantically on the bed—came back to me.
My already flushed face burned even hotter. I felt a tightening sensation below.
“Just like before, looking at the atmosphere now, it seems you shouldn’t be embarrassed but rather should strip and throw yourself at me. Wouldn’t you agree?”
I bit my lip hard.
Unable to face him, I closed my eyes and nodded my head a couple of times.
“I’m not sure if you planned this intentionally, but wearing a man’s shirt is quite bold.”
“I’m sorry. I just wanted to be comfortable.”
“I’m not criticizing. It’s just unexpected. I like it.”
Luderne Sellen glanced around once.
“Try persuading and seducing me. If you promise to be obedient, I might be willing to help you once more.”
Was he really the kind of man to say such things?
I could sense how he was treating me, and it broke my heart.
I couldn’t meet his gaze directly.
As I fumbled for somewhere to look, my eyes fell between his legs.
“….”
In that moment, I felt a rush of vindication. Unlike usual, I could see a heavy, unmistakable presence emerging.
I didn’t know when it had started, but he was already consumed with desire. Whether or not he had been at first, now it was clear he wanted my body.
Where had my pride gone?
Ironically, his state was welcome and thrilling to me.
Whether I could persuade him now or not, he seemed like he might help me escape this agonizing curse.
The conflicting emotions were fleeting—a sudden surge rose from below, and something warm trickled down the inside of my thigh.
I was deeply mortified.
I desperately hoped he hadn’t noticed.
But it was already too late. His gaze was fixed on the inside of my thigh.
Luderne’s lips moved languidly, as if slightly intoxicated. There was no smell of alcohol, though—had he drunk heavily at the banquet?
“Your method of persuasion is quite intuitive.”
At his words, my heart raced wildly. Shame made my body tremble uncontrollably. I wanted to disappear if I could.
Luderne looked directly at me.
“How shall I help you? Should I ease that shameless curse of yours and listen to your explanation, or should I hear you out first and then decide whether to help lift the curse?”
I gripped my shirt tightly with both hands, trying to appear less shaken.
I felt a sense of injustice too.
Whenever people possessed or regressed into characters in novels, they all changed their lives, walked a path of flowers, and achieved success—so why only me?
If shame alone could kill a person, this would be it.
But trembling as I was, there was only one choice I could make.
“If the curse were eased somewhat, I could explain things more calmly.”
Upon hearing my answer, Luderne slowly rose from the sofa. He stepped forward and stood before me.
I lifted my head to look up at him, who was so much taller than I.
His large hands touched both my cheeks. His right thumb slowly brushed across my reddened eyes.
His left hand descended, tracing my nose, lips, and jaw in turn.
My eyes closed of their own accord.
With merely a caress of my face, my heart swelled with anticipation and hot breath escaped me unbidden.
“Haa….”
He didn’t stop. His right hand gently massaged beneath my eyes while his left descended along the nape of my neck.
When his fingers passed over the prominent point beneath the silk shirt, I couldn’t help but flinch.
Bringing his face close to mine, he whispered against my ear.
“Quite firm, aren’t you.”
He placed his finger over the peak and traced a circle several times.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————